2014 Emmy Nominees Reactions

Jim Parsons (The Big Bang Theory, The Normal Heart)

Outstanding Actor in a Comedy, Outstanding Supporting Actor in a TV Miniseries or Movie

“It's been a really exciting thing connecting with two separate casts and crews of two separate projects. I knew intellectually that this could happen, but it was impossible to prepare for what it would actually feel like if it did. It's really incredible. I knew already that there's nothing quite like being nominated for [The Big Bang Theory], because it's so inclusive and everybody's part is just so fun. But to double that up has really been special.”

Woody Harrelson (True Detective)

Outstanding Actor in a Drama

“It’s flattering to be nominated, but I have to throw my vote to Matthew [McConaughey], who I thought delivered the best performance of his life, which is saying something.”

Julia Louis-Dreyfus (Veep)

Outstanding Actress in a Comedy

"This is an embarrassment of riches, and boy, am I happy to be embarrassed."

Matt Bomer (The Normal Heart)

Outstanding Supporting Actor in a TV Miniseries or Movie

“It’s so beyond exciting,” Bomer tells TVLine. “I’m just so grateful and overcome with excitement. It’s a surreal moment, but I’m incredibly happy that the film was acknowledged in the way it was and that so many of the people that worked so hard on it were acknowledged as well. I found out from my husband, Simon. I’m in New York filming White Collar, and he’s in LA. He’d gotten up to watch. It was just great to get to share that moment with him. I had to separate myself from my family for a long time to get to play this role. There was a lot of moments when I was weighing 130 pounds and probably not the most joyful person to be around. So it was nice to get to celebrate a really happy moment with him as well.”

William H. Macy (Shameless)

Outstanding Actor in a Comedy

“I am thrilled and a bit shocked to be nominated. And when I look at the other nominations I’m humbled. But I’ve always felt that liver failure brought on by acute alcoholism could be really, really funny.”

Sarah Silverman (Sarah Silverman: We Are Miracles)

Outstanding Variety Special, Outstanding Writing for a Variety Special

“I’m so excited! Osh Kosh B’gosh just offered to dress me!”

Ryan Murphy (American Horror Story, The Normal Heart, Glee)

34 Total Nominations

“The thing I’m most excited about is [the Normal Heart screenplay nod for] Larry Kramer. He literally just wrote me and he was just so overwhelmed. It was such a journey for him. It took him 30 years to get this movie made and he’s SO thankful that it is being recognized. Because the more people read about it, the more people will go, ‘OK, I’m going to check that out.’ And that’s all we ever wanted with this story. It was a labor of love.”

Kevin Spacey (House of Cards)

Outstanding Lead Actor in a Drama

“I am honored to be included in this years nominations. It’s a dream job, with a remarkable group of talented collaborators. I feel blessed and challenged to tackle our perspective on Washington politics. My congrats to all on the House of Cards team, MRC and to Netflix for a great result across the board – 31 nods – not bad for the new kid on the block.”

Aaron Paul (Breaking Bad)

Outstanding Supporting Actor in a Drama

“What a beautiful way to wake up this morning,” Paul tweeted. “Thank you everyone for the incredibly kind words. I feel so blessed.”

Fred Armisen (Portlandia, The Late Show With Seth Meyers)

Outstanding Supporting Actor in a Comedy, Outstanding Writing For A Variety Series

“I’m here in Portland. I woke up to a string of texts. It was really an incredible way to wake up.” Asked about getting a nod for his acting, along with the show’s writing nomination, Armisen says ” It’s super nice. I love watching TV so much. It’s really an honor. I feel very, very honored.”

Cat Deeley (So You Think You Can Dance)

Outstanding Reality Show Host

“I am genuinely excited and honored to be acknowledged amongst this brilliant group of hosts. To be a part of a show that is being recognized in this way in its 11th season is remarkable and really such a testament to the hard work of the myriad people involved with the show –the judges, the incredible dancers, producers and crew. I share this nomination with them and thank the Television Academy for this great honor.”

Joe Morton (Scandal)

Outstanding Guest Actor in a Drama

“I was in our basement, working out and watching CNN, when they announced that the nominations were over. I thought, ‘Well, the phone hasn’t rung, so…’ — and no sooner did I say that did the phone start ringing with the good news.” As for his recently tweeted theory that a black man can’t call a white POTUS “boy” and win an award, Morton points out: “That still hasn’t happened yet!”

Andre Braugher (Brooklyn Nine-Nine)

Outstanding Supporting Actor in a Comedy

Braugher says he was “right in the middle of carpool” when the nominations were announced. “I clear my head of [worrying about Emmy nods]. I’ve got another season ahead of me — I fly out to do the read-through [of the Season 2 premiere]tomorrow. I’ve been through this process before, and it’s entirely out of my control,” he says. “If called, it’s fantastic. And if not, I continue on my merry way. I try to remain agnostic about it so I can stay on my own personal roller coaster rather than a nomination-driven roller coaster.” All that aside, the actor says he’s “very happy to once again hear that my peers enjoy my work. It’s very good news.”

Jon Voight (Ray Donovan)

Outstanding Supporting Actor in a Drama

“It’s a very prestigious nomination and i’m very grateful for it. Last night, I watched the first episode of the new season and I’m reminded of the good work from everyone — the writing, the cast. I’m so happy the show will be represented at the Emmys this year. All those people who have been waiting for the new season will see it on Sunday at 9pm, and I think they will have a great ride this year. I’m proud to be a part of this group.”

Kerry Washington (Scandal)

Outstanding Actress in a Drama

“I'm so honored to be nominated. And so thrilled for [fellow nominees] Joe Morton and Kate Burton! I’m crazy grateful that the TV Academy has acknowledged our show in these ways."

Josh Charles (The Good Wife)

Outstanding Supporting Actor in a Drama

“What really mattered to me was the work and seeing the reaction people had to it. That’s what fuels me. But this is a really nice cap to [the season], especially knowing that this was [the end]. It’s extra special.”

Lizzy Caplan (Masters of Sex)

Outstanding Actress in a Drama

“I have bronchitis, but I’ll probably start sipping champagne anyway, because, why not? [The nomination] was like a cure-all. I should tell a doctor about this!”

Linda Schuyler (Executive Producer, Degrassi: The Next Generation)

Outstanding Children’s Program

"Our writers, cast and crew work tirelessly to keep Degrassi fresh and relevant, so be nominated for a third time is particularly rewarding," says Executive Producer Linda Schuyler, Epitome Pictures. "We couldn't be more thrilled!"

Edie Falco (Nurse Jackie)

Outstanding Actress in a Comedy

“What an exciting way to start the summer! Beyond my wildest dreams – the response we’ve had to our dysfunctional ER and its inhabitants. So thrilled to be recognized by this industry.”

Actor (Executive Producer, Cosmos: A Spacetime Odyssey)

12 Total Nominations

“Absolutely thrilled about the 12 Emmy noms for Cosmos. Congratulations to Ann Druyan, Neil deGrasse Tyson, and the entire team for all their magnificent work. For once, the Parents’ Television Council sent me a gift basket WITHOUT a cobra at the bottom.”

Joanne Froggatt (Downton Abbey)

Outstanding Supporting Actress in a Drama

“[The rape storyline] was challenging to do, but I think I work best with challenge, under a little bit of pressure. I was really pleased to get the opportunity — and the responsibility — to play that storyline. And now I have this nomination. It’s pretty amazing.”

Steve Buscemi (Portlandia, Park Bench)

“There are so many great actors doing really inspiring work on television right now and it's an honor to be recognized among them. I'm also thrilled and appreciative of the support that Park Bench has received.”

Matt LeBlanc (Episodes)

Outstanding Actor in a Comedy

“Wow it’s early…it’s still dark outside but thank you to The Academy! I’m truly honored to represent a project I’m so very proud of. And equally thrilled that our writers Jeffrey Klarik and David Crane were also nominated.”

Billy Crystal (Billy Crystal: 700 Sundays)

“So happy with these nominations. This breaks my “I can’t believe what happened to Brazil funk.”

Robert Herjavec (Shark Tank)

Outstanding Reality Program

Three times a charm; here's to 2014 being ‘The Year of the Shark.’ It's great to be part of an amazing show like Shark Tank that educates and entertains. The great popularity can be attributed to my fellow Sharks, the incredible team at Sony/ABC and Mark Burnett and Clay Newbill… am in good company!

Julian Fellowes (Downton Abbey Creator and Executive Producer)

Outstanding Drama Series

“I can hardly believe it. 12 nominations in the 4th year demonstrates such generosity on the part of the Television Academy. We are all amazed, flattered and tremendously grateful.”

Kate Burton (Scandal)

Outstanding Guest Actress in a Drama

“It’s just funny because after Grey’s Anatomy [where she played Ellis], I thought, ‘Oh, I guess I’ve had my one experience with a zeitgeist character….’ Little did I know it would happen a second time, and with the same creator [Shonda Rhimes]! Somebody said to me, ‘The fact that you were nominated for a show that is not on cable is unbelievable.’ I honestly feel like I’ve already won.”